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It looks like America’s most advanced car company may be sticking around in California.
As RedState’s Brandon Morse covered Monday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk had “had it” with Alameda County’s lockdown.
Musk wanted to get back to making things, and doing so had been quite the mess.
From Brandon:
Tesla was told by the state of California that it could return to operations but according to Musk, an unelected official from the county illegally overrode California’s decision.
On Saturday, the country’s resident genius had announced he’d take his toys and go elsewhere — to Nevada or Texas.
Frankly, this is the final straw. Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependen on how Tesla is treated in the future. Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2020
He also said he was suing:
Tesla is filing a lawsuit against Alameda County immediately. The unelected & ignorant “Interim Health Officer” of Alameda is acting contrary to the Governor, the President, our Constitutional freedoms & just plain common sense!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2020
His announcement sparked an angry outburst from the legislator known as the most powerful woman in Sacramento, Asm. Lorena Gonzalez (D-Chula Vista), who tweeted “F*ck Elon Musk.”
The technological revolutionary was so fed up, in fact, he made the decision to reopen his Fremont manufacturing plant in the face of the Powers That Be:
“Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.”
Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 11, 2020
So then what?
First, Gov. Gavin Newsom, a long-time friend of Musk, said in his daily press conference that he hoped “an agreement could be reached.”
After that vote of support, our Deputy Managing Editor Jennifer Van Laar predicted that Newsom would eventually land on the side of Musk and Tesla.
Well, they say money talks. Speaking to CBS Wichita Falls, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott made clear the Longhorn State was a potential new home for Tesla and its 10,000 jobs:
“I’ve had the opportunity to talk to Elon Musk and he’s genuinely interested in Texas and genuinely frustrated with California. We’ve just got to wait and see how things play out.”
No less than the President of the United States clocked Cali for its close-mindedness:
California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW. It can be done Fast & Safely!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2020
Finally, on Tuesday, California came a-callin’.
Officials confirmed Tesla can reopen as soon as May 18th — provided it meets certain safety requirements related to the coronavirus.
Alameda County Update on Tesla, May 12: We received Tesla’s site-specific Fremont COVID-19 Prevention and Control Plan yesterday as anticipated. A site-specific plan is a part of the Governor’s guidance for reopening manufacturing. pic.twitter.com/KsooDIKUYG
— Alameda County Public Health Department (@Dare2BWell) May 13, 2020
To be sure, the County Health Department’s still keeping an eye on Mr. Musk and his fancy car-makin’ — with the help of the cops:
“We will be working with the Fremont Police Department to verify Tesla is adhering to physical distancing and that agreed upon health and safety measures are in place for the safety of their workers as they prepare for full production.”
Nonetheless, sounds like the boy’s back in business. It’s no surprise — you can’t keep a good Silicon Valley billionaire down.
Congratulations to someone in California being able to get back to work.
Meanwhile, an LA small business owner recently claimed she’s spent $20,000 just to keep her smoke shop open.
You’re not exactly batting 1,000, California, But good move on this one.
-ALEX
See 3 more pieces from me:
Suppressed Southern Californians Make a Grand Exit – to Arizona’s Lake of Liberty
(Unzipped) Fly Me to the Moon: Space Agency Discovers a Homemade Ingredient for Lunar Construction
Find all my RedState work here.
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